Tag Archives: Contemporary romance

North by Vanessa Vale

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: North
Author: Vanessa Vale
Series: Billionaire Ranch #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I’ve been meaning to get to North for quite a while – it’s in my Dating the Boss box set, and Vanessa Vale is suggested by quite a few of the authors’ emails that I receive. But, as with everything, I kept putting it off and getting distracted. Well, I’m glad that I eventually got around to this, because I seriously enjoyed this story! It might not have quite been the novel I was expecting, but it was probably a little bit better. A somewhat adult contemporary romance, but one that has made me excited to dive into the rest of the Vanessa Vale books on my ereader.

North was a little bit of a dark story in that it features a woman who has been preyed upon by her own father. There is also that darker spin on the story that there is gunshots and plots and schemes. It’s almost a romantic suspense, but not quite. Not an overly light story, but I kind of liked those edges of darkness that makes the romance and the happily ever after at the end all that much better. It did mean that it took me a little bit longer than some romances to truly get into, but it was well worth it!

It’s been a while since I’ve read a romance that features sex so heavily – and it’s kind of graphic. Sometimes I felt like the sex scenes were extended out a little bit too long. They were well written and enjoyable. But honestly, there were a few chapters that I wanted the sex to be over, because I wanted to know more about the action and the characters! I figure that although it meant I had impatient moments, this was actually a good thing – after all, it was all based around the fact that I was so damn invested that I didn’t want to pause for anything I deemed as unimportant. Which is ironic, since I really read this for the romance factor.

North was a fantastic beginning to a new series and introduction (for me) to Vanessa Vale. I can’t wait to see how North’s brothers negotiate all of the truth bombs that were released in this book. And what the women I’m sure they are going to find are going to be like. And how they deal with the hard-headedness that I’m already appreciating in this great characters. This was such a fun book to read, and I look forward to reading more in this series!

<- More Vanessa ValeSouth ->

Image source: Kobo

King of Campus by Jennifer Sucevic

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: King of Campus
Author: Jennifer Sucevic
Series: Barnett Bulldogs #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Sports romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

As much as I enjoyed this story, and will read more Jennifer Sucevic books, I did find the start to be a little difficult. There was something about it that made me push through. But it was a little bit difficult to get through that first bit. Particularly because although there is push back against Roan’s shitty attitude, there isn’t quite enough. I wanted her to smack him down (verbally) a little bit more before the friendship started.

Even though to begin with Roan was an absolutely horrible male lead, he actually ended up being a good guy. One that I did actually like. It just took a little while to get there. And once you did, it kind of made the story a lot easier to enjoy. I almost DNF’d it because of how rude and annoying Roan was in the beginning.

 I love that both of the characters in this have some pretty hefty emotional damage in their pasts. It was enough to cause friction and challenges to overcome, but not so much that there’s a moment of doubt to their happily ever after.

Once I got over the first bit of discomfort and frustration at the doucheyness levels of Roan, I actually really enjoyed thus. It ended up being a really nice and fun light read. One that makes me feel like reading more of Sucevic’s works and just departing from reality for a little bit.

<- More Jennifer SucevicFriend Zoned ->

Image source: Amazon

Intermediate Thermodynamics by Susannah Nix

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Intermediate Thermodynamics
Author: Susannah Nix
Series: Chemistry Lessons #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

Esther and Jeremy are a great opposites attract relationship. Plus, she’s also a strong, independent woman who works in STEM. With Jeremy working in the arts – a bit of a gender swap to what we more traditionally read about in romances. And I absolutely adored it. Like everything I read by Susannah Nix, I couldn’t put this down. It was such a wonderful adventure and I love that they both need to confront their issues.

Esther is kind of a prickly and harsh lead – I loved her, but even I found her harshness to be a little tough at times. Mostly because I tend to be the crazy person who loves with everything, whereas she struggles to show any kind of love. But, even with her prickly exterior, she’s also loyal and loving. Incredibly sweet, and capable of intense emotion.

Jeremy to contrast Esther works really well in that he is incredibly emotional. However, he does come across as a bit of a tool – mostly because he spends a lot of time mansplaining and being superior in his tastes. However, it very quickly becomes obvious that these behaviours come from his insecurities, not being an absolute fool. I did love that once he stops with the pretentious act, he was actually really lovely and definitely great boyfriend material.

I’m always a big fan of great female relationships in a book – even though Esther and Jinny have a massive fight. It’s not one that is about boys or any of that cliché. Rather, it is about their relationship with each other – and I honestly didn’t know which relationship I was more invested in. Probably Esther and Jinny because I love that there are women who will stick with each other through thick and thin.

Not only is this a great love story (both with Jeremy and Jinny), but it’s also a wonderful look at some of the sexism and inequality which women face in work. Particularly within the STEM fields. I also like that it’s not just the men that Esther has to contend with, but also her female boss falls into the trap of gender-based expectations. I love that Esther is able to weather all of the nonsense and come out better at the end. But, it was still a painful reminder of the crap women have to put up with on a daily basis.

<- Remedial Rocket ScienceAdvanced Physical Chemistry ->

Image source: Amazon

Bat Out of Hell by Bernadette Franklin

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Bat Out of Hell
Author: Bernadette Franklin
Series: Holiday Fun #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

Shirley’s obsession with her Prada is both funny, and not something I completely understood. I mean, it’s a damn dress. But, it did make for some entertaining scenes with Juliette, and I will forever have the image of rats nesting in her little black dress in my head. Which just made me laugh, continuously and somewhat excessively. Although, that tends to be my response to most of the works by Franklin – random laughter and much amusement.

I love that, although Shirley has multiple people trying to help her, she is determined to do things on her own. Sometimes it’s a little bit painful, and you just shake your head. But overall, it’s a great streak of independence. I also love that she’s so surrounded by people who adore her, that she has so many wanting to help. Even those who she doesn’t quite expect to want to help are willing to do so. I found it to be a great reminder that people like to help when they love you, and sometimes you should accept that love.

From his first introduction, I was kind of expecting Christopher to be super awkward. He really wasn’t anywhere near as awkward as I wanted him to be. However, he did have some kind of random and niche hobbies, and I love that both him and Lee were able to share their love of art and classics. Plus, this love lent itself to Lee playing a harp in a park in period clothing, so that’s a gorgeous image that I never want to remove from my mind’s eye.

Juliette Carter and her shenanigans are always fun and completely absurd. I mean, she is absolutely off her rocker, so it’s genuinely entertaining to read about her. However, unlike all of the other women in the series thus far, Lee is completely able to stand up to Juliette’s shenanigans. She manages to call her on her nonsense and weirdness, but in a completely loving way. I kind of want more of the two of them working together.

<- ShammedGinger Snapped ->

Image source: Amazon

Lesson Plans by Lainey Davis

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Lesson Plans
Author: Lainey Davis
Series: Stag Brothers #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2022

Thoughts

Doug and Amy are way too cute of a couple. I mean, they are both actually really sweet and fun. Although, Amy is a little bit rougher around the edges than Doug. But, I do love prickly women with a heart of gold.

This might be a teacher, student romance. But it does have a slight twist. It played into the trope, without being so forbidden and, well, icky. I also love how they’re both finding their feet throughout the short course Doug teaches.

Doug learning about his privilege and being willing to understand and change because of this was amazing. I seriously wish more people were willing to recognise their privilege and see how it influences everything we say and do. The growth of him during this novella was amazing.

Amy is a fairly angry and feisty lead. But, I completely understand why. And I loved that she is also able to enjoy life and the moment when she needs to. They’re a fantastic couple and I can’t wait to spend more time with them as secondary characters.

<- More Lainey DavisSweet Distraction ->

Image source: Goodreads

Just One Fake Date by Deborah Cooke

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Just One Fake Date
Author: Deborah Cooke
Series: Flatiron Five Fitness #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

Shannyn and Ty are a fun couple that work really well together. They constantly challenge one another, but are not intensely antagonistic to each other. I love a couple who constantly challenges each other and makes one another better. They’re also a great fit in that Shannyn is able to slot into Ty’s world seamlessly and they are both able to find professional and personal fulfillment together. Absolutely adorable and seriously enjoyable.

I love that Shannyn and Ty come from vastly different backgrounds. And that, ultimately, they end up together because Shannyn decides to take a big risk and plunge. I’m a big believer that fully committing to someone is always a risk that takes a pretty big step on both peoples’ behalf’s. But, with Shannyn’s background and experience, I love the strength of self that she shows in deciding to take that plunge.

As someone who comes from a highly involved family, I love how involved all of Ty’s family is. They might be slightly overbearing and a little bit too much, but I thought they were fantastic. As was Shannyn’s mother and brother. Family comes in all shapes and sizes, and I love that they both come from supportive backgrounds. Even if this meant that Ty’s mother got a little bit too involved and presented as a bit of an obstacle to overcome.

Even though Ty’s mum was a bit of an obstacle, I thought that both she and Cassie would be far more of a challenge than they were. Particularly Cassie, it’s obvious that she had her sights majorly set on Ty. And even when she made a play for him and started to realise that it wasn’t going to work, she wasn’t as much of a challenge to Shannyn and Ty’s romance as I thought. Which I kind of liked. I get a bit fed up with women being petty and horrible to each other. That wasn’t the case in this story, rather both women had concerns about Shannyn, but bowed out to Ty’s happiness.

This romance was an incredibly easy read with a whole lot of heart. I really enjoyed it, and can’t wait until the rest of the Flatiron Five Fitness team fall in love and find their happily ever afters.

<- More Deborah CookeJust One More Time ->

Image source: Kobo

Wilder With You by Serena Bell

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Wilder With You
Author: Serena Bell
Series: Wilder Adventures #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Small town romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I’m absolutely loving Serena Bell and the Wilder brothers. But I did find Jessa and Clark’s to be a little bit sad. I mean, it’s one thing to have hang ups from.past relationships, everyone does. But Clark’s hangup being that his wife died? And then finding out how it happened? It was REALLY extra sad as far as I was concerned.

Jessa’s ex is an absolute douche nugget, and I love how everyone else is just immediately against him. Plus, he’s a great catalyst for the fake dating trope that ends in a little bit of heartbreak. And the one tent. And just all of the happy, fun feelings that this story imparted on me.

Like all good romances, there comes that final hurdle at the end of this that needs to be overcome. I love that for Jessa and Clark, they both are at fault for the breakdown. And they both realise their mistakes before it is too late. Plus, they enjoy gathering around their family and the Wilder siblings definitely help Clark realise his own foolishness.

Alongside this gorgeous romance is the setting of Wilder Adventures. I love that Clark and Jessa originally connect camping in the wilderness. And the many ways in which the Wilder brothers have had to make the wilderness a whole lot more accessible. This is definitely one of those books I’ll be rereading for a sweet comfort read.

<- Walk on the Wilder SideA Little Wilder ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Night in Lover’s Bay by Liz Alden

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Night in Lover’s Bay
Author: Liz Alden
Series: Love and Wanderlust #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Travel
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This was a novella length prequel to the Love and Wanderlust series, and although Marcella and Seb’s relationship comes later in the series, I can’t wait to read The Second Chance in the Mediterranean. I mean, they don’t have the greatest start, and there is so much angst there already. How is this not going to be an amazing story?

Marcella and Seb are actually a really cute couple. I love that although they’ve worked together for a while, it’s not until this night that they actually get to know each other. Plus, it’s blatantly obvious that their boss is against them and not the nicest of guys. I’m not entirely sure what his drama is, but it’s obvious that he is acting in a way that is kind of cruel… I’m interested to see if he shows up again in The Second Chance in the Mediterranean.

I love how this novella has the feeling of a beginning that is rife with a whole lot of misunderstandings. It was actually kind of cringe-worthy how many misconceptions there were throughout a fairly short story. It was a bit frustrating that I need to wait to read the next instalments in this series…

Against the joy of this starter romance is the fact that both the backdrop and food was enough to make my mouth water. It was such a fantastic world in which to travel, and, as someone who doesn’t actually get to travel, it was nice to imagine travelling around on a cruise ship, cooking amazing food…

<- More Liz AldenThe Fling in Panama ->

Image source: Amazon

Nuts About You by Sylvie Stewart

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Nuts About You
Author: Sylvie Stewart
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I must say, that I’m really, really disappointed that I didn’t get to read the whole collection that this originally appeared in. I mean, it’s a whole collection of testicular stories. And, if Stewart is anything to go by, there would’ve been a HEAP of ball jokes. Which, I’m an adolescent at heart at times, so I would’ve found that absolutely hilarious. Having said that, even by itself, I really, really enjoyed this novella. And most definitely spent an obscenely long time laughing at all of the many little puns throughout.

Not to focus in too much, but I definitely enjoyed the ball jokes throughout a lot more than I maybe should’ve as a grown ass woman. A bit like the lead female in this – totally inappropriate sense of humour. One that is, luckily, slightly appreciated by her friends and loved ones. Even if it sometimes leads to awkward silences. I completely understand being the awkward girl that just verbal vomits on everyone and is a somewhat quirky individual. I just hope that my quirkiness is a little bit cute, just like it is in this novella.

I love that this is a romance that is set up by friends. It’s a fake heist that turns into a real one. One filled with a whole lot of fun. I loved each and every chaotic moment of this short story, and I can’t wait to read more of Stewart’s writing!

<- Full On ClingerPoppy & the Beast ->

Image source: Amazon

Electric Blue Love by Rebecca Jenshak

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Electric Blue Love
Author: Rebecca Jenshak
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I honestly thought that the age gap in this romance was going to be one of the sticking points for the whole relationship. I was seriously surprised when it wasn’t. In fact, other than the fact that the age gap left one half of the couple in college, whilst the other is well established in the business world, there wouldn’t have been anything of note about the whole age gap romance thing. I love that most of the conflict to this couple is the past and present colliding, and both Court and Bianca being forced to figure out how to negotiate their lives with all of the challenges that they both face.

Electric Blue Love is a little bit more serious than the other Jenshak books that I’ve read. And I kind of liked that departure from the lighter books I’ve read by her so far. It’s still a new adult romance, one that is based at that turning point in life. The one where you figure out who you are going to be in life. But, between Court and Bianca’s family, there are a number of more adult concerns occurring throughout the story. I really enjoyed Court and Bianca’s ability to finally overcome their challenges, and find a new happily ever after.

I don’t have a whole lot of mentor / mentee type romances on my shelves. And I love how Court and Bianca are able to build their relationship not so much on a friendship, but a friendship of sorts. It’s also refreshing that although Bianca is originally using Court as a relationship guru of sorts, she very quickly realises her own feelings and acts on them. It meant that the angst was so much more based on the external influences, than both Court and Bianca just not admitting what they mean to one another. It also acted as a nice reminder as to why Bianca works so well in an age gap romance – she’s mature and not prone to the hysterics and nonsense others can sometimes be drawn to.

As much as I love the fact that Bianca and Court were less whiney and angsty about their feelings, it did freak me out a little when they got together halfway through the story. It just meant that for the second part, I was anticipating the worst to happen. I mean, this story was going to have them torn apart in one way, shape or form. And it did almost make me cry when they do face their hurdles. But, it also meant that I absolutely demolished this book – I raced to find them together, and then I raced to see how Jenshak was going to tear them apart.

As a counterpoint to Court, Todd is a bloody idiot. I mean, a lot of his actions and decisions are just damn painful and cringey. Although, he does manage to have some redeeming qualities throughout. Regardless, I really don’t see how Bianca managed to fall for the fool in the first place… I like him as the mild villain in this though. Whilst the stakes are high, and there are plenty of emotions, Todd manages to be a low cost challenge to the relationship.

<- More Rebecca JenshakSweet Spot ->

Image source: Goodreads